Go Green: Eco-friendly mattresses focus on quality

Concerned about where you lie your head at night? You’re not alone. When it comes time to buy a new mattress, many eco-conscious consumers now question how their mattresses are created.

Carolyn Sperry

Concerned about where you lie your head at night? You’re not alone. When it comes time to buy a new mattress, many eco-conscious consumers now question how their mattresses are created.

Conventionally produced cotton batting takes large amounts of pesticides. Many mattresses also contain polyurethane foam made of petrochemicals, not to mention potentially toxic materials like volatile organic compounds and chemical flame-retardants.

While it’s true that eco-friendly mattresses usually come with a larger price tag, they also tend to come with an emphasis on quality. And that’s better all around: More years of cozy sleep and no cheap mattress in the landfill.

Fortunately for the eco-savvy consumer, there are a nice variety of options on the market.

Organic mattresses are made of materials grown and processed without using pesticides. Some eco-friendly mattresses use wool, a naturally flame-retardant material that helps mattresses comply with federal regulations. However, there’s one caveat: It’s possible for wool to produce allergic reactions in extremely sensitive individuals.

Other manufacturers make use of newer alternatives like bamboo or hemp to bring you a comfortable night’s sleep while being easy on the environment.

Here’s a sampling of popular eco-friendly mattress options.

Flo-beds are uniquely designed mattresses that allow two sleepers to have individually constructed sides and even allow each person to choose different firmnesses for different parts of her body. Flo-beds are constructed with wood, natural latex and wool from humanely raised sheep, all harvested in a sustainable fashion. They cost around $2000 and up.

Naturepedic specializes in safe, eco-friendly mattresses for babies and children. These mattresses are built to exacting standards and come in sizes to fit a variety of cribs and beds. Prices start at around $250 for a crib mattress.

Keetsa mattresses use unbleached cotton and bamboo blended fabrics. They also feature free shipping because they’re delivered compressed into a surprisingly small box. Far from being damaging, the company says, this process is a testament to the resilience of their product. And shipping this way creates a smaller footprint. Prices start around $450.

Savvy Rest organic mattresses are chemical-free and come with an impressive 20-year warranty. They use three layers of natural latex rubber encased in certified organic cotton and organic wool. Each side of the mattress can be customized with its own firmness level. Bonus: Savvy Rest also makes pet beds, so your best friend can sleep in eco-friendly comfort, too. Prices start at $1,739.